THE European Union is facing a growing bloc of eurosceptics from within its own ranks who are happy to challenge the Brussels elite as they fail to act to solve the continent's problems.

Italian MEP Marco Zanni, who represents the Europe of Nations and Freedom Group, predicted a growing tension within the bloc as its leaders fail to deal with the economic, migration and internal security woes it faces.

The European Union has long been criticised for acting in the interests of its bigger western members – such as Germany and France – the likes of Greece and Italy have suffered.

Mr Zanni, speaking on France 24, said there is a growing bloc within the European Council willing to vote against Brussels to highlight the plight of the project’s smaller members.

He said: “The governments of Poland, Hungary and maybe the Czech Republic, in the future, could create a bloc inside the Council which will oppose and create a convergence in opposing some EU policies, for example, immigration.

“It’s a clear possibility, and it’s a sign that European people are switching to the so-called eurosceptic parties because they are proposing that are creating response to the three major crisis that European people are living – the economic crisis, the immigration crisis and the internal security crisis.

GETTY•FRANCE24

Marco Zanni said there is a growing eurosceptic movement ready to vote down the EU

It’s a sign that European people are switching to the so-called eurosceptic parties

Marco Zanni

“To me, that is the main reason why people are voting for and giving support to eurosceptics.”

Brussels is facing a huge backlash with southern European countries leading the charge against the European project.

In total 27,881 EU nationals were asked during face-to-face interviews: “Taking everything into account, would you say that your country has on balance benefited from or not from being a member of the EU?”

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Italy, Greece and Cyprus highlight EU's struggle to gain approval

Italy recorded the lowest percentage of people who responded by saying their country had benefited from the bloc: just 39 per cent.

Greece also saw more than a majority of people avoid the ‘benefited’ option, with only 48 per cent of people responding in this manner.

Cyprus saw just 45 per cent of their country claim to have benefited from EU membership, during the poll which took place between September 23 and October 2 this year.

The UK, France, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria and Austria all saw less than 60 per cent of respondents say their country had benefitted from EU membership.

Brussels is facing a further crisis as Ireland could follow the UK out of the European Union if negotiations get tough and a trade agreement is not agreed between Britain and Brussels, according to author Tony Connelly.

Mr Connelly warned there could be a “backlash” aimed at Brussels if certain Irish sectors are damaged by Brexit.

He told Sky News: “Of course, once we get into the really difficult and bitter part of these negotiations, once we get into the question of trade with the UK, if Brexit will mean heavy tariff on Irish export then that will change the debate no doubt.

“The agri-food sector is a politically very sensitive constituency and you could see a reframing of the debate about whether it might be better for Ireland to reconsider its place in the European Union.

“I think that might be a very minority view and you get one or two voices making that case, but for the moment Irish Government has been rock solid on this issue.

“I think in terms of opinion polls in Ireland, 85 per cent of people in support the European project but again you just don’t know how this will go once we get into the bitter difficult part of the trade negotiations.

“You could get something of a backlash from certain sectors of the Irish economy.”